A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Lisette, what are you doing here?"

The moment Lisette walked in, Valerian jumped up and hurried over to close the door behind her, as if he was terrified someone, especially Calliope, would catch them plotting together.

"I need to talk to you guys," Lisette said, looking at Horatio and the others. "I just went to see Callie. I talked to her, and she's agreed. She'll treat you, Horatio!"

"Wait, Callie agreed?" Monty asked, eyes wide.

Lisette nodded. "Yeah. I told her we only had lunch together because I asked, and that none of this is your fault. I told her if anyone needs to be punished, she can take it out on me. She can pick on me all she wants, as long as she helps Horatio. And she said yes!"

She tried to give them a smile, but it came out more like a grimace, like she was putting on a brave face for their sake. "Don't worry, even if Callie's upset with us, I'll take the heat. I'll keep my distance from you guys for now, just in case."

The three of them stared at her, surprised. They'd been wracking their brains for solutions, but Lisette had gone straight to Calliope and taken the blame herself, just to make sure Calliope wouldn't take it out on them. For a second, all three felt a strange mix of guilt and gratitude.

"Lisette, you didn't have to do that," Monty said softly. "You've been through so much lately, and you're still the kindest person I know. You're not even jealous of Callie. You just want to help us."

want to look out for my family. All I want is for you all to be happy. If I have to sacrifice a little, that's fine. As long as you're

those big, sincere eyes. "I know I've messed up a lot in the past. If making up for it means giving everything I

quiet for

a lump in his

you're incredible," he said finally. "So sweet, so

understanding, Calliope sometimes seemed impossible, so stubborn, so

and tried to make up for them even after draining the company's accounts, she was doing her best

seemed to want something in return,

payment, always asking

nearly emptied his precious wine cellar. It was just too

too, looked

of

always worried Calliope might